Top 10 vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Northampton

People flock to Northampton for its vibrant restaurant scene each week, and those who eat a plant-based diet are no exception.

Not surprisingly, Paradise City is also a heaven for vegetarians and vegans. While only a couple cater exclusively to non-meat eaters, many offer a wide variety of vegetarian/vegan choices. The list below doesn't include the many Asian eateries that have a decent amount of vegetarian options because most of them do and it would be too cumbersome to list them all (or choose the best ones for a Top 10 list).

But with that caveat in mind, here are the Top 10 vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Northampton:

Paul & Elizabeth's – This oasis for vegetarians has been around for 35 years and in a restaurant market as competitive as Northampton's, that is quite an accomplishment. The venue was the first to offer a wide variety of high-quality vegetarian food, a standard it maintains to this day. P&E's is located in Thorne's Market on Main St.

Bela – Another standard bearer for vegetarians and vegans, Bela is the little engine that could. The small, homey atmosphere complements the delicious aromas that waft from the kitchen. Fresh ingredients and a helpful staff add to the experience, which even omnivores appreciate. Bela is at 68 Masonic St.

Café Evolution – For vegans, this place in the Florence section of the city is a treasure. There are no animal products used in any way there. The eatery is a descendant of the now-defunct Fire & Water in downtown. The food is great and the cupcakes are even better. Even non-vegans rave about them. The café is located at 22 Chestnut St.

The Green Bean – While it's not strictly vegetarian (most of these places aren't) the Green Bean's name gives you a good idea that the place is fairly friendly to those on a plant-based diet. The place features a wide variety of meatless options and even keeps Earth Balance non-dairy spread on hand for vegans.
It's located at 241 Main St.

The Haymarket – Along with numerous freshly made fruit smoothies, the Haymarket offers a decent variety of vegetarian choices made with tempeh, tofu and portobello mushrooms. While it offers full menus at all times of the day, you can't go wrong with one its sandwiches at any hour. The Haymarket is at 185 Main St.

The Roost – The sister venue to the Green Bean, The Roost also makes eating for vegans and vegetarians easy. It clearly labels items that are vegetarian or vegan and offers such fare as tempeh wings and a wide array of scrumptious salads. Staff will also substitute soy milk for dairy upon request. The Roost is at 1 Market St.

Amanouz Café – This Mediterranean/Moroccan eatery may not seem like it belongs on this list at first glance, but it actually features a good spread of vegetarian and vegan choices. Try the vegetarian bastilla, a filo sandwich stuff with veggies and rice. Amanouz is at 44 Main St.

King Street Eats – This newcomer, located where Spoleto Express was at 225 King St, has some tasty vegan options, particularly in the sandwich department. It's fast gaining a solid reputation among vegetarians.

Dobra Tea – Another new venue, Dobra is largely about its incredible diverse tea list combined with a beautiful atmosphere, but it also offers a fair amount of fresh vegetarian plates. It's located at 186 Main St.

The Sierra Grille – Although this New American cuisine eatery is known mostly for its creative fare and excellent beer list, the reason it makes this list is twofold: First, along with a great seitan entree, it offers a wide variety of small plates and side dishes that are either vegetarian or vegan, and second, its Belgian fries are cooked in a separate vat from any meat products, ensuring vegans can consume them without worry. It's located at 41 Strong Ave.

Honorable mention

Pizzeria Paradiso – It's hard to find pizza that uses vegan cheese, but Paradiso offers it for all its pies. For that, it deserves a nod here. It's located at 12 Crafts Ave.

What are your favorite veggie eateries in Northampton? Post them in the comments section below.